If you’re looking for a hotel in Soho, London, chances are you have some money to burn. Good. The Soho Sanctum Hotel is the perfect place to squander some serious cash.
It’s a luxurious venue made up of two Georgian townhouses on Warwick Street in the West End. The location couldn’t be better – right in [...]

Visiting the Mornington Peninsula? Don’t miss a trip to the Peninsula Hot Springs for a spa experience that will take your breath away.
Relax in the hydrotherapy pools, work up a sweat in the sauna or retreat to the darkness of the cave pool to enjoy the tranquility. There’s even [...]

South Africa is full of amazing things to do – from diving with Great White Sharks to spotting lions on safari.
Read on to see which things you absolutely MUST do before you leave this incredible places. And don’t forget to click for more details…
1. Go diving with Great White Sharks
2. Spot lions at Schotia Game [...]

Planning to do the Great Ocean Road? Don’t miss the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park.
These magnificant rock formations were once part of the mainland but years of harsh weather conditions gradually eroded the limestone forming caves.
The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 50m high were left isolated [...]

Bolivia is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in South America. Not only is it home to the Amazon Basin and the beautiful salt flats, it’s by far the cheapest country to explore.
Read on to see which are the best places to visit in Bolivia – and don’t forget to let us know your [...]

Love adventures? Get yourself down to Huacachina in Peru for a hair-raising ride you won’t forget!
Sandboarding is taking South America by storm and it’s not difficult to see why. Check out our amazing photo gallery of sandboarding in Huacachina and book your trip!
See where to stay in Huacachina and see what else there is to [...]

There are countless wineries in Red Hill – the nearest being Paringa Estate, Montalto Vineyard and Tucks Ridge. The famous Red Hill brewery, a convenient lunch stop that prides itself on delicious pub grub, is also a must for beer lovers.

A little further afield lies T’Gallant, Port Phillip Estate (highly recommended) and Mantons Creek. Our advice? Spend a day cycling around the local wineries. Yes, it’s hard work. Yes, you’ll get soaked if it rains. But if the sun’s shining, it will be the highlight of your trip!

Visiting the Mornington Peninsula? Don’t miss a trip to the Peninsula Hot Springs for a spa experience that will take your breath away.

Relax in the hydrotherapy pools, work up a sweat in the sauna or retreat to the darkness of the cave pool to enjoy the tranquility. There’s even a hilltop hideaway (pictured) with 360 degree views across the countryside – perfect on a cold winter morning.

How it works

The natural spring water flows from an aquifer 637m below the ground. It rises to within 10m of the surface before getting pumped into over 20 pools across the complex.

It is this process that ensures the water remains a balmy 37C – 43C. The heat helps induce blood flow and sweating, both of which release toxins and assist the healing process. The springs also contain natural minerals such as bicarbonate, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

Best time to visit

Avoid the crowds and visit the hot springs Tuesday – Thursday. Better still, get here at the crack of dawn (or when it opens at 7.30am) to enjoy the peace and quiet. Fancy a moonlit dip? As the night draws in, the lights cast eerie shadows over the bubbling pools. What better way to spend a romantic evening?

Prices

Early Bird prices (before 10am) vary from $15 to $20; standard prices vary from $20 to $35; and and kids prices vary from $10 to 20. Fancy an upgrade? Bathe in the tranquil Spa Dreaming Centre pools. Price includes use of a locker, towel and a fluffy white bath robe – a nice touch in the cooler months. Entry $50-$60 ($30 when you book in for a spa treatment).

This 120m-high sand dune is where the National Paragliding Championships are held every January and it’s easy to see why travellers flock here.

PICTURE Carlo Sandblow, Rainbow Beach, Australia

Pink clouds drift across the horizon, rainbow-coloured cliffs tower above the ocean and the windswept dunes are perfect for sandboarding.

How to get there

Frasers on Rainbow Beach Backpackers offers free guided walks up to the Carlo Sandblow with sandboarding and boomerang lessons followed by a short history of Rainbow Beach, told by the lovely Jet (pictured), who actually got married on the sandblow. Trips usually leave daily at 4pm.

Travelling the east coast of Australia? Gagaju Bush Camp is an absolute MUST for nature lovers and backpackers.

Tucked away between Lakes Cooroibah and Cootharaba, this rustic camping ground is the perfect base for exploring the Australian bush – and it’s only 20 minutes from Noosa.

Pictures - Gagaju Bush Camp - Canoe trips in Noosa, Australia

Hop in a canoe and paddle down river to enjoy fabulous views of Cooloola National Park and the Everglades – a section of river stained black from teatrees and famed for its beauty. Don’t forget to stop by the historic Apollonian Hotel for lunch.

Travellers getting ready for a canoe adventure at Gagaju Bush Camp

Back at camp, enjoy a barbecue with fellow backpackers, snuggle up round the camp fire or watch a movie in the TV room. Keep an eye out for kangaroos in the woods, Blade the dog (who is on heat) and any other creepy crawlies that might wonder into the camp.

Going travelling? There’s a high possibility that you’ll turn into a fun-loving hippy. Read on to see what happens:

1) You deliberately grow a dreadlock

Sometimes it’s just easier NOT to brush your hair.

2) Suddenly, hippy pants and Alpaca clothes are cool

Been to Bolivia? You’ll know exactly what we mean. Anything with a llama on it is as good as sold.

3) Shoes are no longer necessary

It just feels so good…

4) Fire dancing becomes an art form (NOT dangerous)

The first time you see it you’re worried, the second time you’re amazed; the third time you’re doing it.

5) There’s no such thing as TOO many bracelets

If you don’t have at least 8 bits of string and a few beads tied round your wrists then you may as well stop reading.

6) You say ‘aura’ at least once a day

Travelling is all about ‘finding yourself’, right? Well auras are just taking it to the next level.

7) You become vegetarian and drink herbal tea but STILL smoke

Any of this happening to you? Enjoy it while it lasts! As soon as you’re back home (or maybe 6 months after) you’ll cut out the braid, ditch the bracelets and be back in the office. And as for meditating, you won’t even have time to sleep let alone ‘find the real you’.

Planning a round the world trip? Don’t leave home without getting organised! Read on to see which things every modern backpacker should have:

Gap year students can now earn Ucas points for trekking!

1) Skype account

Stay in touch with family and friends using Skype. Simply download the software (and tell your friends to do the same) and you’ll be able to video call for free.

2) Internet banking

This will save you HEAPS of trouble when you’re overseas. Not only can you transfer money at the click of a button, you can scroll through previous transactions, pay off your credit card and even check for fraud. Highly recommended.

3) Online photo sharing

Facebook is great for sharing snaps but if you want to backup high-resolution photos then consider using Flickr or G-mail. It may take a little longer to upload but it’s worth having them all in once place.

4) Prepaid travel card

Read our advice on choosing the right bank card for your travels. Countless backpackers get stung by ATM fees and bank charges when they’re abroad – so we’ve come up with a solution!

5) Scan of passport

This is really important. Have a scan of your passport in your backpack and one saved on your laptop (or home computer.) That way, if it gets stolen you will still have a copy of your ID, passport number etc.

6) iPhone or netbook

Nearly every hostel has internet so it’s worth taking a small laptop or iphone with you. Just make sure you never leave them lying around and take a padlock for your locker.

7) Headphone splitter

Amazing for bus journeys! The headphone splitter is an adapter that let’s several people plugin to your iPod so you can listen to podcasts or watch movies together. Genious.

Moonpig account

Send cards to family and friends while you’re away using Moonpig. We love this service as you can set up birthday reminders, upload photos and create your own designs. Now you really don’t have an excuse for forgetting.

Looking for the best hostel in Coffee Bay, South Africa? Coffee Shack has a feel-good vibe that’s contagious.

Not only will you be given a guided tour and a welcome drink (which you MUST drink with your left hand), you’re introduced to staff members and invited out to dinner with other guests.

PICTURE Coffee Shack hostel, Coffee Bay - South Africa hostels

Whether it’s munching curry at the hostel or heading into town for more traditional African food, we promise it will be an experience to remember.

By day, enjoy the free activities on offer including treks to the Hole in the Wall, cheap surf lessons and sundowners (see picture). And if you like open fires, drum circles and plenty of drinking games then you’ll never want to leave.